The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Phoenix

Since its inception in 1942, the centre served as a sub-centre of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Durban. It came into the fold of Ramakrishna Mission in 2007. In 2018, the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Phoenix, was separated from its parent centre in Durban and was given the status of a full-fledged affiliate of the Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Saradaprabhananda is its President.

Activities:

1. Medical services: Specialist medical and surgical services at its facilities and in state hospitals and medical camps; free consultations, diagnoses, and medication; medical camps and yoga therapy sessions for children; medicines, medical aid, and support for healthcare workers; medical seminars.

2. Nutrition programme: Distribution of groceries, vegetables, baby formula, blankets, toiletry packs, and other necessities to families and social institutions.

3. Legal aid clinic: Provision of legal services and assistance, and legal education programmes.

4. Veterinary services: Provision of medicine, food, vaccinations, and education on veterinary care for pets of indigent families.

5. Relief and welfare activities: Social worker training, provision of drinking water, meals, food hampers, blankets, LPG refills, rainwater harvesting tanks, and solar panels to deprived families.

6. Agricultural projects: Provision of seeds, saplings, fertilizers, agricultural accessories, maintenance of kitchen gardens, and education on soil health and water conservation.

7. Children’s and youth programmes: Structured values-based education classes, yoga workshops, Hinduism classes, and other activities for children and youth.

8. Educational activities: Classes on Vedanta and Swami Vivekananda, literature distribution, publication of values-based literature, and educational support to needy students.

9. Skills development: Counselling, vocational training, and support for home-based businesses and job creation.

10. Religious activities: Weekly prayer services and Satsangs, celebration of the birthdays of the Holy Trio and other festivals, devotional music for families.

Activities of the sub-centre at Johannesburg:

• Distribution of groceries, vegetables, blankets, and other household items.

• Provision of medical equipment and groceries to hospices, and hosting wellness drives.

• Digital classes promoting Vedanta philosophy and values-based education for children.

• Regular prayer meetings.

• Celebration of the birthdays of the Holy Trio and other religious festivals.